Drop Cable with Fiber Ribbon Conforming to Fiber Passage

Abstract

A fiber optic cable includes an outer jacket, an optical fiber ribbon, and strength members. The outer jacket has an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile that defines a major axis and a minor axis. The outer jacket also defines a central fiber passage that extends through the outer jacket along a lengthwise axis of the outer jacket. The optical fiber ribbon is positioned within the central fiber passage. The optical fiber ribbon has a flattened width that is larger than the central fiber passage. The optical fiber ribbon curves along the widthwise orientation of the optical fiber ribbon so as to conform generally to an arc defined by a circumference of the central fiber passage. The optical fiber ribbon is arranged in a helical pattern within the central fiber passage.

1 . A fiber optic cable comprising:
 an outer jacket having an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile defining a major axis and a minor axis, the elongated transverse cross-sectional profile having a width that extends along the major axis and a thickness that extends along the minor axis, the width of the elongated transverse cross-sectional profile being longer than the thickness of the elongated transverse cross-sectional profile, the outer jacket also defining a central fiber passage that extends through the outer jacket along a lengthwise axis of the outer jacket, the central fiber passage defining a diameter;   an optical fiber ribbon positioned within the central fiber passage, the optical fiber ribbon including a plurality of optical fibers bound together by a binding material, the optical fiber ribbon including a widthwise orientation and a lengthwise orientation, the lengthwise orientation of the optical fiber ribbon extending along the lengthwise axis of the outer jacket, the optical fiber ribbon having a flattened width that is larger than the diameter of the central fiber passage, the optical fiber ribbon curving along the widthwise orientation of the optical fiber ribbon so as to conform generally to an arc defined by a circumference of the central fiber passage, the optical fiber ribbon being arranged in a helical pattern within the central fiber passage; and   strength members positioned within the outer jacket on opposite sides of the central fiber passage.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the central fiber passage has a generally round transverse cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the optical fibers includes bend insensitive optical fibers. 
     
     
         4 . A fiber optic cable comprising:
 an outer jacket defining a central fiber passage that extends through the outer jacket along a lengthwise axis of the outer jacket, the central fiber passage defining a diameter; and   an optical fiber ribbon positioned within the central fiber passage, the optical fiber ribbon including a plurality of optical fibers bound together by a binding material, the optical fiber ribbon including a widthwise orientation and a lengthwise orientation, the lengthwise orientation of the optical fiber ribbon extending along the lengthwise axis of the outer jacket, the optical fiber ribbon having a flattened width that is larger than the diameter of the central fiber passage, the optical fiber ribbon curving along the widthwise orientation of the optical fiber ribbon so as to conform generally to an arc defined by a circumference of the central fiber passage, the optical fiber ribbon being arranged in a helical pattern within the central fiber passage.